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Krzysztof Popek

KRZYSZTOF POPEK is a leading Polish jazz flute player topping the jazz rankings of the Jazz Forum monthly (The European Jazz Magazine) for many years.

He started off as a jazz musician at Jazz Juniors ’82 and Jazz Nad Odra ’85 festivals winning individual awards at both. He plays the soprano and alto flute. Besides, he is a composer, arranger and inspirational leader of his numerous bands of which “Young Power” stands out as the most renowned and popular.

The album “Letters and Leaves” also proved to be a success. It was recorded by KRZYSZTOF POPEK QUINTET and was nominated for the Polish Grammy Award – Fryderyk ’96 and came second in Jazz Forum’s Album of the Year ’96 ranking.

In 2005 he recorded important "House of Jade" with a magnificen tAmerican rhythm section: Victor Lewis, David Friesen and Randy Porter.-" Popek is a precise player with beautiful technique... "Elliot Simon, November 2006, ALLABOUTJAZZ - NEW YORK

In 2006 "You Are In My Heart " with Joe LaBarbera, David Friesen, Randy Porter and Piotr Wojtasik and in 2007 together with Victor Lewis, Cameron Brown, Stephen Scott and Piotr Wojtasik – “ Estate “

His newest “ Fresh Air Project” recorded together with George Cables, Cameron Brown, Victor Lewis, Nicolas Simion and Piotr Wojtasik.

Now, he played and recorded with Kirk Lightsey, Stephen Scott, Cameron Brown, Victor Lewis, Joe La Barbera, David Friesen, Randy Porter, George Cables, Ed Schuller, Jasper van't Hof, John Betsch, Piotr Wojtasik.

He has performed in major clubs in Europe, and also at such festivals as Warsaw Jazz Summer, Jazz Jamboree, Molde International Jazz Festival, Göttinger Jazzfestival, Leverkusener Jazz Tage, Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Berlin Jazz Tage, Stockholm Jazz and Blues All Stars Festival and many others. In 1997 Krzysztof Popek and his Quintet performed in Bonn, Germany to celebrate Poland’s accession to NATO. Promoting “Estate” performed in New York’s – “Sweet Rhythm”.

Awards

Every year since 1988 (also in 2018) Krzysztof Popek has been awarded the Flute Player of the Year ( Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine ) 1987 �" Krzysztof Popek awarded the Musician of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1987 �" Young Power (Krzysztof Popek’s big band ) awarded the Big Band of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1988 �" Krzysztof Popek awarded the Musician of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1988 �" Krzysztof Popek awarded the Arranger of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1988 �" Young Power ( Krzysztof Popek’s big band ) awarded the Band of the Year 1996 - Krzysztof Popek Quintet’s “Letters & Leaves" Album of the Year (Jazz Forum - The European Jazz Magazine) 1996 Krzysztof Popek Quintet’s “Letters & Leaves" was nominated for the Polish Grammy Award �" Fryderyk ’96


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5
Album Review

Krzysztof Popek: Fresh Air Project

Read "Fresh Air Project" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Time has stamped Krzysztof Popek as a potent force on the Polish jazz scene. The flautist could have found a comfort zone in his native land given the accolades he accumulated there. Instead, he gathered a varied supporting cast of international musicians over the years,and built a strong edifice to his musical explorations. He stamps his credentials all over again on this recording. Popek explores through the senses of several composers including himself. His “Letters and Leaves" gets ...

509
Album Review

Krzysztof Popek: Estate

Read "Estate" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Alto flautist Krzysztof Popek gives his music another vantage point with Estate. From Poland, Popek has long been part of a very fertile and evolving turf that included Michal Urbaniak, Tomasz Stanko and Jaroslaw Smietana. It was in this environment that Popek established himself as the leading flautist of the country. But boundaries dissolve with the craft of this musician, who plays from the depths of his soul.

One constant factor on Popek's recordings has been trumpeter Piotr Wojtasik. He ...

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" Flutist / composer Krzysztof Popek was a major figure in the "Young Power" movement of the '80s. "House of Jade" partners him with an American rhythm section that includes pianist Randy Porter, bassist David Friesen and drummer Victor Lewis. Popek is a precise player with beautiful technique and he shares the spotlight with trumpeter Piotr Wojtasik. One is immediately struck by the lovely trumpet/flute voicings against the punch of this first-rate rhythm section. Popek's quintet's knack for reinventing pieces from a diverse group of composers - Abdullah Ibrahim, Wayne Shorter, Randy Weston, and Ellington - makes this session gel. " Elliot Simon, November 2006, ALLABOUTJAZZ - NEW YORK

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Fresh Air Project

Power Bros
2017

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Estate

Power Brothers Records
2009

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